Shoe with a Replaceable Upper

ABSTRACT

The present invention includes methods of removably attaching a flexible upper ( 14 ) to a rigid sole ( 12 ) to form an open toe shoe ( 10 ). The upper ( 14 ) is attached to the sole ( 12 ) by a set of interference fit studs ( 74 ) pushed into bores ( 76 ) in the sole ( 12 ). The stud ( 74 ) compresses radially as it is pushed into the bore ( 76 ) so that it pushes against the bore surface ( 92 ) to secure the stud ( 74 ) in the bore ( 76 ), but can be removed by hand. The bore ( 38, 76 ) is a hole formed directly in the sole ( 12 ) or the bore ( 38, 76 ) is within a hard insert ( 48, 94 ) secured in the sole ( 12 ). For an upper ( 14 ) with a thong ( 52 ), the thong ( 52 ) attaches to the foot bed ( 22 ) using a threaded rod ( 56, 58 ) turned into a threaded bore ( 54, 60 ).

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to shoes, more particularly, to open toeshoes with uppers that can be easily replaced.

2. The Prior Art

Shoes comprise a sole to protect the foot from the ground and uppers tosecure the foot to the sole. Often, the appearance of the shoe isparamount. It is generally desirable that the appearance of the shoecoordinate in style and color with the rest of the wearer's clothing.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is for use with open toe shoes having a sole of arigid material and a flexible upper that forms an arch over the frontportion.

The present invention includes methods for removably attaching the upperto the sole. In the first embodiment, the upper is attached to the soleby a set of screws turned into internally-threaded bores in the sole.The bore is a hole formed directly in the sole or the bore is within ahard insert secured in the sole.

In the second embodiment, the upper is attached to the sole by a set ofinterference fit studs pushed into bores in the sole. The bore is a holeformed directly in the sole or the bore is within a hard insert securedin the sole.

The studs are designed to be removable by hand. Several differentconfigurations are contemplated, all of which are designed to compressradially as it is pushed into the bore. The compressed stud pushesagainst the bore surface to secure the stud in the bore.

For an upper with a thong, the thong attaches to the foot bed using athreaded rod turned into a threaded bore. The threaded rod may extendfrom the foot bed or extend from the thong.

Objects of the present invention will become apparent in light of thefollowing drawings and detailed description of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a fuller understanding of the nature and object of the presentinvention, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is an exploded, perspective view of one embodiment of the shoe ofthe present invention with an example of an upper;

FIG. 2 is a top view of another example of an upper for the shoe of thepresent invention;

FIG. 3 is a top view of another example of an upper for the shoe of thepresent invention;

FIG. 4 is an exploded, cross-sectional view of a screw attachment;

FIG. 5 is an exploded, cross-sectional view of another screw attachment;

FIG. 6 is an exploded, perspective view of another embodiment of theshoe of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is an unassembled, cross-sectional view of a stud attachment;

FIG. 8 is an unassembled, cross-sectional view of another studattachment;

FIG. 9 is an unassembled, cross-sectional view of another studattachment;

FIG. 10 is a partially exploded, perspective view of a shoe of thepresent invention showing one embodiment of a thong attachment; and

FIG. 11 is a partially exploded, perspective view of a shoe of thepresent invention showing another embodiment of a thong attachment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 shows one embodiment of the shoe 10 of the present invention. Thesole 12 is typically a unitary component with a bottom 20, a foot bed 22on the top, and sides 24 that extend between the back 30 and toe 32. Thebottom 20 may include a heel 26 or may be flat. Typically, the foot bed22 slopes downwardly from the back 30 to the toe 32. The thickness ofthe sole 12 determines the height of the shoe 10.

The sole 12 is composed of a rigid material, such as wood, plastic,cork, and/or carbon composite.

The upper 14 is typically formed from one or more straps of flexiblethermoplastic, canvas, twill, leather, or other flexible material. Theupper 14 forms an arch over the front portion 34 of the sole 12 so thatthe edges 28 of the upper 14 overlap the sides 24 at the front portion34. There are many possible shapes for the upper 14, and the presentinvention contemplates that any shape that can be adapted for thepresent invention can be used. Some examples of uppers 14 are shown inthe figures. In the example of FIG. 1, the upper 14 is a unitary strap18 a. In the example of FIG. 2, the upper 14 is a pair of straps 18 bconnected by a detachable fastener, such as a buckle 16, as in FIG. 2,microhook/microloop fastener, snaps, hooks, etc. In the example of FIG.3, the upper 14 is composed of multiple straps 18 c that may or may notbe attached together.

In the embodiment of FIG. 1, the upper 14 is attached to the sole 12 bya set of screws 36 turned into internally-threaded bores 38 in the sole12.

In one configuration, shown in FIG. 4, the bore 38 is a hole formed inthe sole 12. Depending on the material from which the sole 12 iscomposed, the bore 38 may or may not be robust enough to not wear outthrough repeated use.

In another configuration, shown in FIG. 5, the bore 38 is in an insert48 that is installed in an aperture 40 in the sole 12. The insert 48 iscomposed of a hard material, such as metal or hard plastic, that isresistant to wear. Many different metals, metal alloys, and plastics canbe used. By using insert 48 made from hard materials, the upper 14 canbe replaced a large number of times without the insert's internalthreads wearing out.

The size and type of screws 36 and the size of the bores 38 depend on anumber of factors, including, but not limited to, the size and thicknessof the sole 12, the thickness of the upper 14 around the hole 42, thenumber of screw 36/bore 38 pairs needed to secure the upper 14 to thesole 12, and the desired style of the shoe 10. The depth of the bore 38depends on the length of the screw 36, and will typically be in therange of from ¼-inch to ½-inch deep.

The screws 36 can be metal or plastic. The desired material isdetermined by both robustness and style. Metal screws are typically morerobust and last longer than plastic screws. On the other hand, plasticscrews can be made in any desired color and the screw head 44 can bemade in any desired shape and style.

The upper 14 is attached to the sole 12 by inserting the screws 36through holes 42 in the upper 14 along the edges 28 and turning theminto the corresponding threaded bores 38 in the sole 12. The diameter ofthe holes 42 in the upper 14 is large enough for the threaded portion 46of the screw 36 but smaller than the diameter of the screw head 44.Optionally, the upper holes 42 are reinforced so they do not distort,rip, or otherwise become enlarged such that the screw head 44 is pulledthrough the hole 42.

In the embodiment of FIG. 6, the upper 14 is attached to the sole 12 bya set of shaped studs 74 that fit into bores 76 in the sole 12. Aninterference fit (also known as a press fit or friction fit) retains thestuds 74 in the bore 76. The interference fit is strong enough to holdthe upper 14 to the sole 12 under typical conditions but allows the stud74 to be removed from the bore 76 by hand.

As shown in FIGS. 7-9, the bore 76 has a smooth cylindrical interiorsurface 92. Optionally, the interior surface 92 is slightly concave,that is, the center of the bore 76 has a slightly larger diameter thanthe ends of the bore 76.

In one configuration, shown in FIG. 7, the bore 76 is a hole formeddirectly in the sole 12. Depending on the material from which the sole12 is composed, the bore 76 may or may not be robust enough to not wearout through repeated use.

In another configuration, shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the bore 76 is in aninsert 94 that is installed in an aperture 96 in the sole 12. The insert94 is composed of a hard material, such as metal or hard plastic, thatis resistant to wear. Many different metals, metal alloys, and plasticscan be used. By using an insert 94 made from a hard material, the upper14 can be replaced a large number of times without the bore 76 wearingout.

Either configuration of the bore 76 can be used with any configurationof the stud 74.

The stud 74 is designed to be retained in the bore 76 by friction,thereby providing an interference fit. In general, the stud 74 has abody 88 and a head 84. The body 88 is designed to compress in on itselfas it is being installed in the bore 76 and the outward pressure of thebody 88 trying to return to its uncompressed state is what provides thefriction against the bore interior surface 92.

The present invention contemplates several different configurations toprovide the compressibility desired.

In one configuration, shown in FIG. 7, the stud body 88 has a taperednose 78 with a diameter that increases to a central section 80 having adiameter greater than the interior diameter of the bore 76. Alongitudinal slot 82 forms two parallel legs 86 in the central section80. The stud 74 is composed of a slightly flexible material thatprovides the ability to bend as described below. Many different metals,metal alloys, and plastics can be used.

During installation, the stud 74 is inserted into the bore 76 andpushed. As the stud diameter increases toward the central section 80,the central section 80 pushes against the interior surface 92 of thebore 76. As the stud 74 pushes farther into the bore 76, the slot 82provides a gap into which the two legs 86 of the central section 80 canbend. Bending the legs 86 inwardly causes them to press outwardlyagainst the interior surface 92 of the bore 76, thereby securing thestud 74 in the bore 76 by friction.

In another configuration, shown in FIG. 8, the stud body 88 has atapered nose 102 and a plurality of ribs 104. The diameter of the ribs104 is greater than the interior diameter of the bore 76. A longitudinalslit 106 that runs from the nose 102 almost to the head 84 forms twoparallel legs 108. The stud 74 is composed of a slightly flexiblematerial that provides the ability to bend as described below. Manydifferent metals, metal alloys, and plastics can be used.

During installation, the stud 74 is inserted into the bore 76 andpushed. As the stud 74 enters the bore 76, the slit 106 provides a gapinto which the two legs 108 can bend. Bending the legs 108 inwardlycauses them to press outwardly against the interior surface 92 of thebore 76, thereby securing the stud 74 in the bore 76 by friction.

In another configuration, shown in FIG. 9, the stud body 88 is composedof a hard material, such as metal or plastic, that is covered by asleeve 112 composed of silicone or other pliable material. The diameterof the stud body 88 is larger than that of the bore 76. Duringinstallation, the sleeve 112 compresses when pressed into the bore 76and pushes against the interior surface 92 of the bore 76 to secure thestud 74 in the bore 76.

In another configuration, the stud body 88 is composed of a slightlyresilient material with a diameter that is larger than that of the bore76. During installation, the stud body 88 compresses when pressed intothe bore 76 and pushes against the interior surface 92 of the bore 76 tosecure the stud 74 in the bore 76.

The upper 14 is attached to the sole 12 by inserting the studs 74through the holes 42 in the upper 14 along the edges 28 and pushing theminto the corresponding bore 76 in the sole 12. The diameter of the holes42 in the upper 14 is large enough for the body 88 of the stud 74 butsmaller than the diameter of the stud head 84. The stud 74 is pushedinto the bore 76 until the head 84 holds the upper 14 against the sole12. Optionally, the upper holes 42 are reinforced so they do notdistort, rip, or otherwise become enlarged such that the stud head 84 ispulled through the hole 42.

The studs 74 are removed manually either by prying out with fingers orby using an optional tool that resembles a two-tined fork. The tinesslide between the head 84 and upper 14 or between the upper 14 and thesole 12 to pull the stud 74 from the bore 76.

The size of the studs 74 and the bores 76 depends on a number offactors, including, but not limited to, the size and thickness of thesole 12, the thickness of the upper 14 around the hole 42, the number ofstud 74/bore 76 pairs needed to secure the upper 14 to the sole 12, thematerial from which the stud 74 is made, and the desired style of theshoe 10. The depth of the bore 76 depends on the length of the stud 74,and will typically be in the range of from ½ inch to 1½ inches.

When used, the inserts 48, 94 are installed into apertures 40, 96 in thesides 24 of the sole 12 and are secured in the apertures 40, 96.Examples of methods of securing the insert 48, 94 in the aperture 40, 96include press-fit, threads, molded-in, and adhesive. The presentinvention contemplates that any method that securely retains the insert48, 94 in the aperture 40, 96 can be used, including combinations ofdifferent methods.

In one method of securing the insert 48, 94 in the aperture 40, 96, theinsert 48, 94 is press-fit into the aperture 40, 96. The outsidediameter of the insert 48, 94 is the same or slightly larger than thediameter of the aperture 40, 96. Optionally, the outer surface of theinsert 48, 94 is textured to lock the insert 48, 94 more securely in theaperture 40, 96.

In another method of securement, an adhesive is used to secure theinsert 48, 94 in the aperture 40, 96. The type of adhesive depends onthe materials of which the insert 48, 94 and sole 12 are composed. Forexample, a wood sole will likely require a different adhesive than aplastic sole and a metal insert will likely require a different adhesivethan a plastic insert. Optionally, the outer surface of the insert 48,94 and/or the surface of the aperture 40, 96 is textured to provide amore secure hold.

In another method of securement, the outer surface of the insert 48, 94is threaded. The insert 48, 94 is turned into the aperture 40, 96 and issecured by the threads. Optionally, an adhesive is used to more securelyhold the insert 48, 94.

In another method of securement, the insert 48, 94 is molded into thesole 12. This method is available for molded plastic and composite soles12. The outer surface of the insert 48, 94 is textured to provide asecure hold when the molded sole cools around the insert 48, 94.

The bores 38, 76 are positioned to provide an attachment for the upper14 that will hold the wearer's foot in the shoe 10. FIG. 1 shows fourbores 38 on each side 24 of the sole 12.

The present invention contemplates that not all of the bores 38, 76 maybe needed to securely attach the upper 14 to the sole 12. For example,in the shoe of FIG. 1, there may be more than four bores 38 on each side24, but because the upper 14 only has four holes 42 on each side, notall of the bores 38 are needed.

The present invention can also be used with uppers 14 that have a thong52, as in FIGS. 10 and 11. The thong 52 attaches to the foot bed 22 by athreaded attachment, of which several non-exclusive embodiments areenvisioned.

In one embodiment, shown in FIG. 10, there is a threaded bore 54 in thefoot bed 22 of the sole 12 and a mating threaded shank 56 at the end ofthe thong 52. The threaded shank 56 is turned into the bore 54 prior tothe screws 36/studs 74 being installed. Optionally, in order to reducewear, the bore 54 is within an insert within an aperture, as describedabove.

In another embodiment, shown in FIG. 11, a threaded rod 58 extendsupwardly from the foot bed 22 and a mating threaded aperture 60 is atthe end of the thong 52. The threaded rod 58 can be attached to the footbed 22 in any number of different ways. In FIG. 11, the sole 12 has abase 64 and a cover 66 made from, for example, leather. The rod 58 isattached to a disk 68 and the disk 68 is attached to the base 64. Thecover 66 has a hole 70 through which the rod 58 extends. The rod 58 isplaced through the hole 70 and the cover 66 is adhered to the base 64,thereby covering and securing the disk 68 to the sole 12.

If the sole 12 is thick enough, the rod 58 can be threaded directly intothe sole 12 or the rod 58 can be threaded into an insert secured in thesole 12. Alternatively, the rod 58 can be glued into an aperture in thesole 12.

The aperture 60 is within an insert 62 within the thong 52. As with theinserts described above, the thong insert 62 is composed of a hardmaterial, such as metal or hard plastic, that is resistant to wear.

Thus it has been shown and described a shoe with a replaceable upper.Since certain changes may be made in the present disclosure withoutdeparting from the scope of the present invention, it is intended thatall matter described in the foregoing specification and shown in theaccompanying drawings be interpreted as illustrative and not in alimiting sense.

1. A shoe comprising: (a) a sole composed of a rigid material and havinga back, toe, sides extending between the back and toe, and a foot bed;(b) an upper composed of a flexible material that arches over the frontportion of the sole and having edges that overlap the sides of the soleat the front portion; (c) a plurality of holes along each side edge ofthe upper, the holes having a hole diameter; (d) a plurality of bores inthe sides of the sole, the bores having an interior surface and a borediameter, and each of the holes having a bore aligned therewith; (e) aplurality of studs having a body and a head, the body having a diameterlarger than the bore diameter, the head having a diameter larger thanthe hole diameter, each stud body extending through each hole into thealigned bore until the stud head holds the upper against the side of thesole, the stud being removably retained within the bore by aninterference fit and being manually removable.
 2. The shoe of claim 1wherein the stud body is radially compressible.
 3. The shoe of claim 1wherein the stud body has a longitudinal slot forming two parallel legswhereby, when the stud body is in the bore, the legs are bent inwardlycausing the legs to press outwardly against the interior surface of thebore.
 4. The shoe of claim 1 wherein the stud body is formed of acompressible material.
 5. The shoe of claim 1 wherein the bore is withinan insert mounted in an aperture in the sole, the insert being composedof a hard material.
 6. The shoe of claim 1 wherein the upper furthercomprises a thong and wherein the thong removably attaches to the footbed by a threaded attachment.
 7. A shoe comprising: (a) a sole composedof a rigid material and having a back, toe, sides extending between theback and toe, and a foot bed; (b) an upper composed of a flexiblematerial that arches over the front portion of the sole and having edgesthat overlap the sides of the sole at the front portion; (c) a pluralityof holes along each side edge of the upper, the holes having a holediameter; (d) a plurality of bores in the sides of the sole, the boreshaving an interior surface and a bore diameter, where the bore diameteris constant or where the bore diameter at the center is slightly largerthan at the ends, and each of the holes having a bore aligned therewith;(e) a plurality of studs having a body and a head, the body having adiameter larger than the bore diameter and being radially compressible,the head having a diameter larger than the hole diameter, each stud bodyextending through each hole into the aligned bore until the stud headholds the upper against the side of the sole, the stud being removablyretained within the bore by an interference fit and being manuallyremovable, the interference fit being caused by the stud body pushingradially against the bore interior surface.
 8. The shoe of claim 7wherein the stud body has a longitudinal slot forming two parallel legswhereby, when the stud body is in the bore, the legs are bent inwardlycausing the legs to press outwardly against the interior surface of thebore.
 9. The shoe of claim 7 wherein the stud body has plurality ofannular ribs with a diameter greater than the bore diameter, alongitudinal slit forming two parallel legs whereby, when the stud bodyis in the bore, the legs bend inwardly causing the legs to pressoutwardly against the interior surface of the bore.
 10. The shoe ofclaim 7 wherein the stud body is formed of a compressible material. 11.The shoe of claim 7 wherein the stud body is formed of a hard materialcovered by a sleeve of compressible material.
 12. The shoe of claim 7wherein the bore is within an insert mounted in an aperture in the sole,the insert being composed of a hard material.
 13. The shoe of claim 7wherein the upper further comprises a thong and wherein the thongremovably attaches to the foot bed by a threaded attachment.